Kerry Kachejian is one of the nation’s most qualified soldiers and engineers, having served in and supported reconstruction operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan as well as relief operations during Hurricane Katrina.

In Iraq, he played a central leadership role in the standing up of the Gulf Region Division (GRD). He was personally recalled to active duty to serve as the GRD Operations Officer (G3). Every day, his experiences in Iraq involved the strategic, operational and tactical levels of warfare. On any given day, they included briefing the nation’s senior military leaders, dodging enemy attacks and rescuing civilians that were in imminent peril.

Kachejian’s technical qualifications include a BS Degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point concentrating in Aerospace Engineering and an MS Degree from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute in Systems Engineering. He is also a Registered Professional Engineer (PE).

His military experience includes thirty years of service as an Army Engineer officer. His expertise includes stability and reconstruction operations, mine warfare, explosives, tactical bridging, road and airfield construction, atomic demolitions, and emergency management.

Kachejian was a distinguished graduate of both the Army’s Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, where he later served as a senior instructor. He was on the Commandant’s List for the Command and General Staff Officer Course. And he was a Distinguished Graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) earning a second Master’s Degree in National Resource Strategy.

He has numerous military decorations, awards and qualifications. He is Airborne and Ranger qualified. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for protracted combat operations, and the Combat Action Badge for being personally engaged with enemy forces. While serving in Iraq and for the Army Corps of Engineers, his unit was awarded both the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Army Superior Unit Award. He was presented the Bronze de Fleury Medal by the Army Engineer Association for his inspirational leadership to the Army Engineer Regiment. One of his most prestigious honors was the Reserve Award for Leadership Excellence – a national award presented annually by the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) for demonstrating outstanding performance and leadership abilities, both in and out of uniform. He has appeared on over 25 national and regional radio and media outlets, including the Heritage Foundation.

Colonel Kachejian recently retired from the Army Reserve. He currently supports the U.S. defense industry.

He has spoken at a number of major conferences and private events on topics, including Leadership, Stability and Reconstruction Operations (Iraq and Afghanistan), the Psychology of Terrorism, Civilians and Contractors on the Battlefield, Force Protection and Critical Infrastructure Protection.

Kerry lives with his wife, Alice, and three children near Springfield, Virginia.

Those photos that are not the personal property of Kerry Kachejian, were contributed by friends and USACE, both of which have given permission for their use. These may not be used without his express written permission.